Chapter: 33

The Fall of Lucien - The Five Things He Wanted

1. Lucien wanted forgiveness, although he would never admit to it.

2. Lucien wanted his brother to be well, and he knew Nadia was the answer.

3. Lucien wanted control of his life again, the way it was before he was ostracized.

4. Lucien wanted the comforts of a stable home and a loving family.

5. Lucien wanted most of all was revenge and only Nadia’s death would satisfy.

“Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it.”

Hebrews 13:2

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Lucien walked gracefully out of the hospital and into the warm afternoon of Nevada. He knew he needed two things. First, he had left a small handgun hidden inside of the car they had driven here to the hospital. The other thing was that he needed a key to a safe deposit box that he had also stashed in the same car.

He strolled cautiously over to the parking lot area of the hospital and spied Buck’s truck still in its same parking space.

He crept up to the big truck and took out the key he had stolen from Buck when he was not looking. He then proceeded to raffle through the back seat, looking for his prized possessions.

After finding them and carefully placing them on his person, he was about to start the engine in the process of stealing Buck’s truck, when he noticed a black car parked across from the hospital. He also noticed the man sitting behind the wheel in the black suit and dark sunglasses. He decided he would take this opportunity to re-acquaint himself with the man.

He moved stealthy across the parking facility and across the street until he was behind the car. He smoothly ducked behind the car and bent over gradually crept to the front of the car.

Once he was near the driver’s side window, he took his .22 caliber weapon out of his pocket and then popped up quickly, pointing his gun through the open car window.

The man in the car turned, startled by the revelation of a gun pointing at his head and started to move his hand towards his jacket. But not fast enough.

“Don’t try it, Devon or I might have to mess up that pretty suit of yours.”

Devon took off his glasses and glared angrily at the young blond.

“Lucien!” he spat. “I should have known you wouldn’t be far away from that no good brother of yours.”

Lucien only smiled, tightening his hold on the gun. “Get out of the car, now. And make sure I can see your hands,” replied Lucien calmly.

Devon knew that Lucien was not someone he wanted to take on at this moment. He remembered how dangerous the man was and knew he was good with a gun.

Devon slowly, got out of the car, holding his hands out in front of him. When the man was fully out of the car, Lucien pushed the gun to his temple and with his other hand he searched the man thoroughly.

Lucien pulled out the .45 caliber gun that was in Devon’s shoulder holster and held it aloft, peering at in wonderment.

“Oh, I see we have a penis envy problem,” said Lucien snidely, placing the gun into the waistband of his pants. “Now, turn around and put your hands behind you.”

Devon did not like what was about to happen and he knew Nadia would be just as angry. He was suppose to watch the men for the opportunity to acquire them and now he had found himself snared by someone he had once sworn to kill.

Devon reluctantly complied with Lucien’s request, although he wished it was the other way around. He grunted as Lucien forcibly pulled his hands together and placed a plastic tie around them. He then pushed Devon to the passenger side of the car and motioned him in.

“You know when Nadia finds out you’re a dead man,” said Devon angrily.

“I’m already dead, Devon. So there is nothing Nadia can do to me,” whispered Lucien into his ear.

Devon twitched slightly at that comment. As far as he was concerned, this man was not playing with a full deck.

But what Devon did not know was that Lucien was desperate and a desperate man was a dangerous man.

Lucien then got into the driver’s seat of the car and turned to his captive. “Let’s go see, Nadia, shall we?” He then turned the ignition and the car drove away.

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Chris consciousness awoke to voices, not the usually ones that now usually inhabited his mind, but voices belonging to people he knew.

“He still sleep?” That was Josiah Sanchez. His friend and sometimes the keeper of his soul when he felt God would not answer his questions.

“Yep, ain’t woke up yet and I’ve been itchin’ to talk to ‘im.” That was Vin Tanner’s tired voice. His twin soul and the one person who could keep him grounded when he had trouble keeping his feet on terra firma.

“Well, the sedatives he was given through the night will wear off soon. Let’s just hope we don’t have to use anymore. Besides, his temperature is up and I really don’t want Dr. Cohen to use it again until he has been fully examined awake.” That caring voice was Nathan Jackson, the one who always saved them, time and time again from their flirts with death.

“I just hope I never see him like that again,” came a yawned reply. That was JD, the kid that kept his heart as well as his mind youthful.

“The good news is that I and JD have discovered a plausible plan through Nadia defenses and will be able to extricate her from her abode in order to acquire the antidote.” Now that was Ezra. He was the one that kept them sharp and made them realized there was always an out.

But the voice Chris did not hear was the one he was hoping to hear. The one that infected his dreams and left him with such a foreboding. Lucien was not among them and Chris needed to know that he was safe among the ones he called brothers.

He opened his eyes and slowly a face leaning close to him that carried clear blue eyes of concern was looking directly at him.

“Chris? Ya awake!” exclaimed Vin happily, his face moving slightly away from him. Vin was seated next to his bed in a chair, his white-bandaged ribs peeking through a small slit in the bed railing.

Chris did not reply. He was too busy doing a head count. His eyes roved around the room, counting the faces for each of the voices.

Buck was in a chair near the door. He looked like he hadn’t been asleep in long time. Chris could see the beginnings of a day old shadow forming on the chiseled face. That was not like Buck. He usually liked to keep himself clean-shaven for the ladies.

He then noted Ezra standing to the side of Buck. He seemed busily going through some type of document in one hand and sipping what must be coffee in the other. He could see that those green eyes were squinting at the paper in front of him and Chris knew Ezra probably spent too many nights doing what he was doing now which was resulting in eye strain.

He eyes then moved towards the end of his bed and saw Nathan and Josiah standing near it, their eyes on him with worry and ready to burst with questions, but he knew they would hold their tongues until he acknowledged their presence.

He turned his head to the other side of the room and found JD lying on the bed that Vin had previously occupied, his legs stretched out and shoeless, his eyes red with lack of sleep.

In fact, it looked like they all had not slept in days and guilt overwhelmed him as the realization dawned on him that it was probably because of him.

However, it still did not relieve his anxiety at the fact that the one person who he needed to see was not there.

He then turned back to Vin. “Vin? Where’s…Where’s Lucien?” he said in a weak voice that did not sound like his own.

Vin looked to the others briefly and then turned his piercing gaze back to him. “Chris, we don’t know.”

“What…what…don’t?”

“We don’t know where he is, Chris. He disappeared a couple of hours ago when he supposedly went to get coffee. He never came back.”

Chris felt hot. He wanted to push the sheet off his body, and tried until he reasoned out that his hands and feet were secured to the bed.

“Hot. It’s…hot.”

“I know, Chris. You have a fever,” replied Nathan.

“Did you look for…him?” asked Chris trying to find a comfortable spot on the bed. It felt like something was poking into his side.

Vin noticed how Chris squirmed on the bed. “Somethin’ wrong, Pard?” he asked.

“Didn’t…didn’t answer my question,” was all Chris replied. He needed to find out what happened to his brother.

“We have searched the hospital facility and it’s grounds. We also ascertain that he took Buck’s keys to his truck, but we could not understand why the truck is still in its designated parking space. Rest assured, Mr. Larabee, we will find him,” responded Ezra, walking closer to the bed.

“How are you feeling, Chris?” asked Nathan, wondering if the blond agent’s mind was back to normal.

“Got a…headache. Feel…feel hot.”

“No more…?” started JD.

“JD!” warned Buck eyeing him annoyed.

“Sorry, Buck. I forgot.”

“No more what?” questioned Chris glaring at each of his them.

“Ya know, Cowboy. Voices,” said Vin truthfully. He needed Chris to know that no matter what that he could trust him to be honest with him.

Chris paused thoughtfully. He closed his eyes, but the voices were not there anymore, at least not now. He wondered if that was a good sign or maybe they found someone else to torture.

He opened his eyes and found his friends staring at him, waiting patiently for his response.

“Nope. Gone.”

“You sure, Chris?” asked Josiah doubtfully.

“I SAID NO!” yelled Chris.

“Uh, oh,” thought Vin.

“Take it easy, Chris,” said Nathan. “Josiah’s just concerned, like the rest of us.”

Chris did not seem to hear or did not want to hear. He turned to look directly at Vin and said, “Vin, you got to find Lucien. I think he’s gon’na to do something really stupid and dangerous.”

“Why do ya say that, Chris?”

“’Cause he told me, Vin. You got to go look for him,” pleaded Chris.

“And just when did he tell ya this, Chris?” asked Buck, now also interested in this conversation since he had been here all day and Lucien had yet to make a reappearance.

“I don’t know. I was asleep but I could hear him talking,” answered Chris innocently.

“So it was a dream, Mr. Larabee?”

“Yes…no…I don’t know,” replied Chris despondently. “Vin, you gotta help me.”

Vin wanted to believe his friend. He wanted to believe that Chris’ mind was back to normal and that the man did not dream the conversation. He looked at Nathan and Nathan slowly shook his head.

Nathan was scrutinizing his boss. In his opinion Chris probably dreamed the conversation or worst it was a hallucination, which meant it was another symptom of the drug. Already Chris’ temperature was rising and he knew that was one of the other symptoms of the drug. He was trying to tell Vin this and to make him understand that they could not necessarily believe everything that the sick blond was saying.

Chris was not oblivious to the silent conversation that went on between Vin and Nathan. He said, “Vin, you promised! You…promise me you would help me!”

While Vin tried to decide how to answer his friend, Nathan quietly asked Josiah to go and request the nurse to bring a sedative for the blond agent. He did not think that Chris was going to calm down.

Chris watched as Josiah walked out of the room and knew what was coming next. He started struggling and tried to wrench his arms free of their restraints. “PLEASE, VIN!” he screamed. “DON”T LET THEM!”

Nathan and Buck quickly pushed Vin aside and tried to keep the blond from thrashing violently on the bed. They thought he would damage himself even more and they could not let that happen.

Vin wedged his way back towards the bed, making it clear to Nathan and Buck that he was not going anywhere. He grabbed Chris’ arm and said, “I always keep my promises, Cowboy. Don’t worry. We’ll find ‘im.”

Suddenly, Josiah, followed by Sheila the nurse came into the room, carrying a syringe and Chris tried to back away from it. “NO! NO! Please don’t!” he cried.

But it was to no avail. The nurse injected the sedative in his IV and Chris felt the sensation of the medicine slowly entering his hand and into his bloodstream.

As the sedative took affect, Chris movements weakened and as soon as Nathan and Buck were positive that he was asleep, they released their hold, looking grimly at their friend.

Vin watched with pain and fear as Chris succumbed to the forced sleep. He did not like what was being done to his friend, but he knew that Nathan and Buck were doing only what they thought was for the best.

Now, Vin decided it was his turn to do what was best for his friend. He turned to the two men and said, “I believe Chris.”

“Now Vin, ya ain’t gon’na believe that…”

“Buck! I believe ‘im and if ya don’t want to help me find Lucien then I’ll do it by myself!” Vin replied with determination.

Buck and the others saw the stubbornness in the man’s blue eyes and knew he would do just that.

“Okay, Vin. Okay,” relinquished Buck. “Well start a search. Ezra?”

“Already on it, Mr. Wilmington,” responded Ezra. “I will see what my confidants can discover of our absconded compatriot.” He then walked out of the room, still carrying the floor plan and his coffee.

“JD, go help him,” ordered Buck.

“Sure, Buck,” said JD, jumping up from Vin’s bed and proceeding to follow Ezra out the door.

“Now, Vin, you need to get back in that bed, or I’ll have you tied down too!” snapped Nathan.

Vin was about object when Nathan held up his hand to stop him. “Don’t want to hear any of your excuses. Just get in that bed! Now!”

“Alright, Nate. Ya don’t have to get all riled up,” said Vin standing up from the chair he was sitting in for the last three hours. As he stood, he felt a pull on his ribs and grimaced in pain.

“That’s it!” yelled Nathan. Nathan and Josiah both walked quickly up to the young man, each grabbing a side and helped him to walk over to his bed.

Once he was settled and the sheet pulled up to cover most of chest, Nathan stood there glaring angrily at him.

Vin noticed that Nathan was ticked off at him and said, “I’m…”

“Yeah, I know. I’m fine. Don’t want to hear it! Now close your eyes and get some rest!”

“Okay, okay, I’m goin’,” replied Vin, now feeling the exhaustion that caught up with him from the past few hours. “Just ‘member to wake me if Ezra and JD find anythin’.”

“We will, Vin,” answered Josiah smiling. “You just get some rest, okay?”

“Okay, Josiah,” said Vin. He closed his eyes, letting sleep finally overcome him with the knowledge that Chris would be watched over by his friends. His last thought was of Lucien and he sent a prayer hoping that the powers above would keep him safe. He knew that the health of the older blond depended a lot on the health of the younger one.

TBC.

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Chapter: 34

Satan and the Wicked

"And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison.

And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth,

Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the

sand of the sea."

Revelations 20:7-8

“One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD,

and Satan also came with them.”

Job 1:6

Note: Satan means accuser

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Marco DeCorsia sat in his office tapping his pen against his desk awaiting the arrival of his father’s representatives. He knew these two men were more dangerous than his father.

Although they did not carry the power that his father did, they were vicious and brutal. They were the extension of his father’s arms and if his father ordered it, they would execute anyone that Roberto DeCorsia thought might stand in his way. That included his own flesh and blood.

A knock on the door threw his thoughts to the background of his mind. He knew he needed all his faculties to deal with these two men.

“Enter!”

Two men, dressed in business attire entered his office, followed closely by two of his bodyguards.

The one on the left, he knew was Jack Trell. Jack Trell was big man, taller than most. He was also heavier and Marco had found out when talking about boxers that he held the title years ago of Golden Gloves Champion of Texas back in 1985.

He was a deadly man with his hands, but that was not why his father had hired him. Jack Trell was the best sniper his father ever had. Being an ex-merc from South America, Jack had boast to killing at least twenty men.

But what frightened Marco the most was the gleam in his blue eyes. They showed no fear and no conscience. A man like that was deadly and no mercy would be shown from him.

The one on the right was Frank Marino. Frank was a much smaller man, being of Asian persuasion. He had met him a couple of years ago at one of his father’s big conferences.

Most people thought Frank had Italian ancestry based on his name. But Marino was a common name among Asians, especially Chinese ancestry. He had assumed it was because of Italian conquest of the Orient, but it was only an assumption.

Marino was much more deadlier than Trell. He had a black belt in Karate, Aikido, Tae Kwon Do and a couple of other martial arts he did not remember. He could kill with his hands or any other part of his body. But what made him dangerous were not his expertise in the Martial Arts, but his expertise with the use of sharp objects and knives. He could throw a knife so accurately, it would severe a person’s vocal cords, cutting the jugular vein, killing in an instance without the victim making a sound. Marco had seen one of his works personally when his father requested that Marino make an example out of a man who tried to skim money from his father.

That man had ended up on the floor of a warehouse basement with his throat cut from ear to ear and his tongue hanging out of the slit in the kill of a Columbian Necktie.

Marco was not a man new to decadent and violence. He had seen men die in many ways from drowning in a bathtub, to being crucified to a wooden cross, to what he deemed was the simplistic execution of a bullet through the head. But this, this was beyond that. It was something more than just killing the offender. It was meant as a message and his father, a native Columbian, enjoyed using Pablo Escober, his hero, a notorious Columbian drug lord’s, style of execution.

Marco scrutinized the two men. If his father had sent them, then things were in a more dire strait than he thought.

“Hello, Trell, Marino.”

The two men simultaneously nodded to Marco in acknowledgement, but still did not speak.

“So my father sent you?” asked Marco tentatively. He had to keep his calm. If they thought he was hiding anything he knew they would report this back to his father.

The two men did not answer. They stood their ground and their silence.

“Is there something wrong? Does my father want something of me?”

Jack Trell finally moved to stand in front of Marco. His blue eyes glared at him, taking in his countenance as if measuring Marco’s strength. “Your father is not happy, Marco. He sent myself and Marino here to ensure that his files are returned and Larabee pays for his insolence.”

“But I have everything in hand,” explained Marco. “My father has nothing to worry about.”

“But your father does not feel the same way, Marco,” said Marino as he also moved closer to the man. “He has sent us to insure that his property is returned. Immediately and expediently.”

“Have you recovered the files yet?” inquired the tall red-haired man.

“Well, no, not yet. But I have my people working on it and…”

“And nothing, Marco,” said Marino, not letting Marco finish his sentence. “We have come to make sure that we get the files and Larabee at any cost. Your father will not be happy if we fail and we plan on not making your father disappointed in us.”

“Unfortunately, Larabee is not in my possession at the moment, but he will be, I promise.”

“Marco, Marco, Marco,” said Trell stepping even closer to the man. “Your father does not make money on promises. He wants guarantees, even from his own son.”

“Where is Larabee now?” asked Marino, taking a seat in one of the chairs near Marco’s desk.

Marco walked away from the tall redhead that was in his face and managed to calmly sit back down in his chair on the other side of the desk, as Trell took a seat next to Marino. Marco then casually wiped a hand at the sweat on his forehead. These men always had that affect on him.

“Unknown at the moment, I’m afraid,” said Marco hesitantly.

Marino quirked an eye at Marco and then turned to glance at Trell.

“Well, Patron DeCorsia wants them both. If you can’t find them, then we will. And if we find them first, your father is not going to be very happy,” stated Trell as he stood up from the chair.

“And you know how your father is when he’s not happy,” said Marino, standing up also with a wicked smile crossing his face.

The two men then turned and walked out of the door.

Once they were gone, Marco sighed despondently. He was in deep trouble now. He had not only his respective buyers coming to take the file information off his hands, for a price of course, but he also had his father’s tow most dangerous men on his tail.

He had to get in touch with Devon and find out if he had any information as to where Larabee was. He needed to get to him before the others or all his plans were going down the drain.

He picked up the phone and dialed the cell phone number he had for Devon. Unfortunately it just kept going to his answering machine. It said, “Hi, this is Devon. I am not in at the moment. Leave your name and number and I will return your call as soon as I am available.”

At the beep, Marco said desperately into the phone, “Devon! Where the hell are you? Listen, I need Larabee now! Not tomorrow. Not next week, but now! If you have a problem with this, then the deal’s off!”

Marco slammed the phone down with such violence that his desk shook with the vibration. He then lowered his head into his hands trying to think of a way of out his predicament.

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Chris slowly came aware to voices interrupting his sleep. The voices were insistent and painful. They seemed to be demanding and wanting something. He wished they would just let him sleep, to stay in the darkness that kept the pain and the dread away. But that was not to be.

He opened his eyes and looked around and found that his friends that were there earlier were gone, all except his companion that shared the room with him. He was lying on his bed, his eyes closed and Chris assumed that he was asleep.

He determined that the voices were not that of his friends, but of the ones that currently shared his mind, albeit, without his permission. He wanted them to go away, to leave him.

They sang to him softly, calling his name, telling him that they knew what was best for him. He tried to drown them out by humming to himself and when that did not work, he started reciting passages from the Bible.

So engross in trying to ignore the voices, Chris did not notice that a face of an angel, that held a pair of bright blue eyes were staring at him in concern and fear.

Vin knew that Chris did not know he was awake. Vin could not sleep. His dreams were always filled with thoughts of Chris and the voices. It troubled him greatly that his friend might be losing what sanity he had left after the death of his family. He could not watch his friend die like this. He knew they all had to die someday, but not with some type of dignity. It went against everything in his grain that made him who he was and he knew if Chris were well, it would anger the man too.

Vin watched quietly as Chris stirred awake and then watched him as he started to hum, loudly his hands twisting within the restraints. Vin knew then that it was the voices that his friend was trying to drown out and his heart dropped into his stomach.

Vin’s IV bag had been removed earlier. The nurses said that he could take his medication orally from now on and he was happy about that. He hated needles anyway.

The others had just left to get some lunch, but were to return shortly. They did not think that Larabee would be awake anytime soon since the doctor had explained that the amount of sedative the nurse had given him earlier would probably keep him asleep most of the afternoon. They were wrong and they should have remembered how Chris held a resiliency against the sedatives.

Vin remembered a few months ago when he had found him drunk out at the ranch and he had questioned Larabee on why he drank so much. His reply was, “Can’t sleep, can’t eat, can’t forget. It’s the reason why.”

And Vin knew it was the reason why he took the drugs too. He was trying to forget the deaths of his wife and son, but all his actions did were to create physical pain for the Chris and he did not know how to stop it.

But Vin swore he would die before he let the man go back to that again. He was not going to let his friend sink into that deep dark abyss of depression to die. Not as long as Vin was alive and he knew the others would agree with him.

Vin shook his head out of his thoughts when he heard Chris reciting passages from what he knew was the Bible. The humming had him concerned, but now Chris was babbling like a crazy man.

“The word of the Lord came to me, Son of man, set your face toward Jerusalem and preach against the sanctuaries. Prophesy against the land of Israel and say to the land of Israel, thus says the Lord, Behold, I am against you and will draw my sword from its sheath and will cut off from you both righteous and wicked. Because I will cut off from you both righteous and wicked, therefore my sword shall be drawn from its sheath against all flesh from south to north. And all flesh shall know that I am the Lord. I have drawn my sword from its sheath; it shall not be sheathed again,” said Chris, his eyes closed against seeing anything but the words in his head.

“Chris?” called Vin cautiously. He did not wish to startle the blond. Crazy or no, Christopher Michael Larabee was still a dangerous man. He looked into his friend’s face and could see that his eyes were shut tight against all intrusion.

Chris did not hear Vin’s call. The voices were still trying to get his full attention and Chris was not willing to give in.

“As for you, son of man, groan with breaking heart and bitter grief, groan before their eyes. And when they say to you, 'Why do you groan?' you shall say, 'Because of the news that it is coming. Every heart will melt, and all hands will be feeble; every spirit will faint, and all knees will be weak as water. Behold, it is coming, and it will be fulfilled,' declares the Lord God.”

As Vin took each small step that would bring him closer to his friend, he felt his ribs starting to shift under the pressure of his movements. But Vin chose to ignore it. He needed, no he wanted to get to his friend and bring him back to where he belonged, here among his friends and the ones who cared for him.

“And the word of the Lord came to me, ‘Son of man, prophesy and say, Thus says the Lord; Say, ‘A sword, a sword is sharpened and also polished, sharpened for slaughter polished to flash like lightning!” yelled Chris, as he squirmed in the restraints trying to break free.

“Chris! Chris, it’s me, Vin!” shouted Vin over the din of Chris rambling voice. He then sat on the edge of the bed and placed the man’s right hand into his.

Chris felt something soft and warm in his own hand, but he still refused to open his eyes. The hand gave him something tangible to hold on to, something that would keep him in the world of reality. He grasped that hand as if it was a lifeline that would prevent him from slipping further into the dark abyss.

Vin noticed the grip on his hand. He knew that he was somehow reaching his friend through his turmoil thoughts. “That’s it, Cowboy. That’s it. Come on back to us,” said Vin softly.

Chris did not answer. But his ramblings softened in volume. He replied, “As for you, son of man, prophesy. Clap your hands and let the sword come down twice, yes, three times, the sword for those to be slain. It is the sword for the great slaughter, which surrounds them, that their hearts may melt, and many stumble. At all their gates I have given the littering sword. Ah, it is made like lightning; it is taken up for slaughter. Cut sharply to the right; set yourself to the left, wherever your face is directed. I also will clap my hands, and I will satisfy my fury; I the Lord have spoken.”

“I don’t know what’s goin’ on in that head of yours, Pard, but I need ya here with us,” said Vin pleadingly.

Vin was about to say something else, when he noticed a pair of green eyes staring at him from the bed.

“Chris? Ya with me, Pard?”

Chris did not answer him, but instead keep his eyes fixed on the young sniper’s face and said, “Thus says the Lord God, ‘Because the Philistines acted revengefully and took vengeance with malice of soul to destroy in never-ending enmity’ therefore thus says the Lord God, ‘Behold, I will stretch out my hand against the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethites and destroy the rest of the seacoast. I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes. Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I lay my vengeance upon them’.”

Vin did not understand what was going on, but he knew Chris was trying to let him know that he was there, with him.

“They can’t hurt ya, Cowboy. I won’t let them. Ya hear? I won’t let them.”

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth’."

Vin knew this recitation very well. It was from the Book of Genesis. He and Chris had spent a whole week reading and memorizing the passages. It was to be used as a code when they found themselves in dire need of help from one another. This one piece had Vin worried, as it was their way of telling each other that danger was near and to be careful.

Vin then said, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

He did not know where this was leading, but he would go along with it for his friend.

Chris then squeezed Vin’s hand tighter and replied, “And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’ And God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.’ And it was so. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. The sixth day, Vin.”

Vin knew Chris was trying to tell him something, he just could not understand what. “Sixth day, Chris? What happens on the sixth day?”

“Sixth day, Vin,” said Chris, his eyes slowly closing.

“No, Chris. Stay with me. I need to understand.”

“Sixth…day, Vin. Quid me…nutrit…me destruit, Vin. Sixth…” and with that he watched as his friend lost consciousness.

“No, Chris!” he yelled, trying to shake the man back awake. But it was to no avail. Vin leaned over and grabbed the call button for the nurse. He needed her to find his friends, fast. He had to tell the others. Chris was trying to tell him something, but his mind was too muddy with medication and pain to understand. For some reason the sixth day was important and Chris had also uttered the same quote that he had when he first found him imprisoned in Nadia’s home. He did not know what it all meant, but he knew it was important. Maybe the others could decipher what Chris was trying to say.

While he waited for the nurse to come and hopefully find the others, he looked down at his friend and said, “Don’t worry, Chris. Everything’s gon’na be fine. Ya’ll see.”

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Chapter: 35

Michael, Gabriel, Israfel, Lucifer and The Sixth Day

“What is a fallen angel, though? A fallen angel is a being created by God and who, for some reason, disobeyed Him and for punishment, was hurled from heaven to dwell within what we know as hell. Fallen angels come from all orders of the celestial hierarchy, from the rank of the Angel, to the rank of the Seraphim, like Lucifer. If you parallel this to mankind, then any person, whether it be the leader of a powerful nation, to the person next door, could fall.”

http://www.public.iastate.edu/~cbenton/fallen%20angels.htm

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning-the sixth day.”

Genesis 1:31

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Lucien and Devon had arrived at Nadia’s home without incident. Before reaching the house, Lucien had realized Devon’s hands, but still kept the man closed to his side, as he held the gun into his ribs. He had explained to him in no uncertain terms that if he cried out, or try to warn the other men what was up, he would not hesitate to put a bullet in him. Devon knew not to take the man likely.

They walked side by side, Lucien ever so often glancing at Devon to see if he would try anything. But Devon knew better and felt once inside the house he would have the upper hand.

Two men stood guard at the front door and eyed Devon and his new companion suspiciously.

Devon nodded to them and said, “Is Miss Diaz home?”

The man on the far right nodded and waved both men inside.

Devon nodded his thanks again and led Lucien into the house.

Once inside the house, Lucien found it devoid of people. He turned to Devon and said, “Where is everyone?”

Devon did not answer at first and Lucien prodded him in the ribs with the barrel of the gun.

“Unh!” exclaimed Devon at the poke he received. He then turned brown eyes to glare at the man who had hurt him. “Don’t know about the servants. Nadia does not usually let any of the men in her house unless it is an emergency. It’s usually only me and two other men that are allowed inside.”

“And where are your two friends now?”

Devon did not answer. He only sidle an angry glance at the young blond.

“Where?” growled Lucien, his gun making it clear that he would not concede to his deceptions.

“One is out keeping an eye on your brother and his friend. I don’t know where the other is,” answered Devon truthfully.

Lucien could see that the man was telling the truth. “Let’s go talk to Nadia then. Lead the way,” said Lucien motioning for Devon to move onward.

Devon moved slowly towards the stairs, looking back every so often at Lucien and the weapon he held in his hand.

***********************************************************************

Chris awoke to pain and disorientation. He did not know where he was or why he could not move his arms or legs. The last thing he remembered was being in Nadia’s hands. He remembered not being able to control his will and the things he did with Nadia. He felt guilt and revulsion at the thought. But somewhere in the darkness of his soul, he knew he had enjoyed it. He enjoyed touching her, feeling her and being one with her. Was he crazy? Was he losing it? He did not understand these feelings and they frightened him.

“Ya awake, Cowboy?”

Chris turned his head to where the question came from. He looked at the weary face of his friend and saw there the worry that marred the young man’s eyes.

“Vin? What happened?”

Vin pondered the question for a minute before answering. “What do ya remember?”

“I remember…I remember being held hostage in Nadia’s home.”

Vin frowned at his friend’s response. “Ya don’t remember anythin’ after that?”

“After that?” queried Chris, his face scrunching up in concentration. “What did I do? Why am I tied up like this?”

Vin did not know how much he should tell the blond. But he saw the confusion and frustration in his face and body. He did not want to lie to his friend, but he did not know if his friend was sane enough to understand what was going on. He finally decided that he needed Chris not to stop trusting him, so he told him anyway.

Chris listened to Vin as he recounted everything that happened from the time he found him at Nadia’s to the time of his brother’s disappearance.

Vin watched as Chris’ face turned from one of confusion, to shock and then to anger.

“So, Lucien went after Nadia? I remember him being here, saying something about…about not being able to see him again. I don’t know what he meant by that, but I know it didn’t sound good.”

“Buck and the others are tryin’ to see if they can find out where he went. We think he went to Nadia’s, but knowin’ Lucien…”

Yes. Chris did know Lucien. But he also didn’t know him. It had been three years between the time of his disappearance and his reappearance. Chris knew he had changed somewhat, but how extensive that change was he had not had the opportunity to determine.

“Chris, do ya know what Lucien was doin’ during the time he was missin’?” came Vin’s question.

Chris eyed the young sharpshooter as if he read his mind and said, “No, I don’t and I wish I did. The last time I saw him, and it was only me, was at the funeral.”

Vin knew that Chris was speaking about the funeral of his wife and son.

“After that, he just disappeared off the face of the Earth. I had his cell phone number, but I never…I never tried to contact him. Not until a few days ago. You see, when he left we were on bad terms. I blamed him for the fiasco with Nadia. I thought he betrayed me.”

“But he didn’t,” put in Vin.

“Yeah, he didn’t and now…”

“Now ya might not have the chance…”

“To tell him I’m sorry. Vin, what have I done?” asked Chris, his face showing the anguish and guilt he felt at what he did to Lucien.

“Ya did what every brother has done to another at one time. Ya had a disagreement.”

“Vin, it was more than a disagreement. I blamed him and he hated me!”

“I don’t think Lucien has ever hated ya, Chris. I think he was just hurt by what he saw in ya. Ya can make it right, Chris.”

“Can I, Vin? I don’t know,” replied Chris, his face covered in doubt. “It might be too late.”

“Don’t give up, Cowboy. Not on him or yourself. Things will get better. Ya’ll see.”

“I hope so, Vin. I hope so. I’m just so confused and my mind seems to be in such a fog, I can hardly think straight.”

“It’s the drug, Pard. It’s affected ya mind and body.”

“Drug?” questioned Chris unsure of what Vin was talking about. But then a sliver of memory returned, showing him what happened at Nadia’s house before Vin arrived.

“Oh, my God! What have I done?” screamed Chris, closing his eyes to his painful guilt.

“Chris! Chris! Ya did nothin’ wrong! It was all Nadia!” exclaimed Vin trying to keep Chris from falling into the depression that he knew was coming.

“Was it, Vin?” retorted Chris as he opened glassy eyes to stare at the younger man. “I don’t know if I can believe that.”

“Believe it, Chris. I know ya and I know ya wouldn’t of done anythin’ like that if ya had a choice,” said Vin determinedly.

Chris looked into those fierce blue eyes and saw there something that he was lacking, courage and hope. Vin had all of that and right now it was the one thing Chris Larabee felt he did not have, yet needed.

“I want to believe that, Vin. I really do.”

“Don’t believe it!” came a whisper from within. “Your heart is as black as hers. It’s why you enjoyed every minute of it!”

Vin watched as Chris tilted his head to the side, as if he was hearing something. “Chris? What’s wrong, Pard?” asked Vin, fear creeping into his voice.

“Did you hear that?” Chris asked.

Vin shook his head that he did not. “What cha hearin’ there, Cowboy?”

“Them. The ones that want to hurt me,” answered Chris looking around the room frantically for the cause.

“They’re not here, Chris. Ya have to ignore them,” pleaded Vin. Vin was afraid for his friend. He knew the voices only meant trouble and Chris did not need anymore than he already had.

“I’m…trying, Vin. I’m trying,” said Chris shivering and closing his eyes tightly against the unseen forces that were trying to tear his world apart.

Vin decided that some action needed to be taken. He knew his friend felt he was alone in the darkness and he did not want him to stay there. He got up from his bed, his ribs protesting the movement. Ignoring them, he slowly approached the bed where Chris lay and sat gently on the edge next to him. He then grabbed one of his hands and held it tightly in his.

“Chris,” he called softly. “Can ya feel this?” He then squeezed Chris’ hand, letting him know that he was there.

Chris opened his eyes and looked into Vin’s blue ones and said, “Yes.”

“Then ya not alone. Not ever. This is our strength. Ya understand me?”

Chris nodded, like a child who was afraid of the dark and then someone turned on a light to scare the darkness away. Relief of not being alone in this fight gave purpose to his will and to his determination.

“Don’t let those voices win! We can beat ‘em. Together. Ya understand?”

Chris nodded again, but kept silent as the voices tried to wear down his confidence in his friend.

Just then, Buck, Nathan and Josiah walked into the room. When they saw Vin sitting on the edge of Chris’ bed, they knew the blond was awake. What they did not know was if he was back to normal.

Buck approached them cautiously, not wanting to startle Chris. Nathan and Josiah moved to the end of the bed, making sure they were not too close to make Chris feel like they were closing in on him.

“Hey, Pard. I see ya awake. We was wonderin’ if ya was gon’na sleep the day away,” said Buck trying to lighten up the mood in the room.

Chris turned his head towards his long time friend, but said nothing.

Buck quickly glanced over to Vin and saw him shake his head.

“Ya know what Chris? We gon’na find the antidote. I promise ya, Pard. We ain’t givin’ up until we do. Ya understand?”

Chris was still silent. The voices were confusing him and he wanted so badly to run, to run and hide from them. But the steady pressure of Vin’s hand in his kept him stable and somewhat sane.

“Vin?” he called his voice no louder than a whisper.

Vin heard the whisper of his name and moved closer to the blond. “Yeah, Chris?”

“Make…them…stop. Please,” came Chris’ whispered plead, as tears flowed freely down his face.

Vin was aghast. He had never seen Chris cry. Not even after the death of his wife and son.

Buck on the other hand had, in the privacy of his home, he had watched Chris break down until he cried himself to sleep after the death of his wife and son. Then he watched over the next three years how at night he would drink himself into a stupor and then awake in the morning as if nothing happened. Never in his wildest dreams did he think he would resort to taking drugs. Buck knew it was bad if Chris had gone that far.

“Chris,” said Buck calmly as he could. “We’re gon’na find the antidote and we’re gon’na make it stop. Ya hear me? Ya just have to hang on, Pard.”

Chris nodded mutely, trying to keep the voices at bay. His felt a slight tremor start in his legs and slowly crept upwards in his body.

Vin and Buck noticed this and turned to Nathan who only looked on scrutinizing the movement.

“Chris? What are you feeling now?” asked Nathan warily.

Chris did not answer, but only started to tremble even more. The tremors then started to come more violently and Chris knew they were not going to stop. “Vin!” he screamed.

At that, Vin, Buck, Nathan and Josiah moved to the bed, grabbing onto Chris’ arms and legs, trying to keep the blond man from hurting himself as the convulsions became more intense

Vin looked on worriedly. He was afraid for his friend and did not know what was happening.

“Josiah, go get the doctor and the nurse, now!” yelled Nathan.

Josiah reacted immediately and ran through the door to get help.

“Chris!” cried Vin as he saw the blond’s head start to thrash back and forth on the bed. He then turned to the one person he thought had the answers. “Nathan?”

Unfortunately, Nathan did not have the answers. He knew nothing of this new drug and it frustrated him to no end. He and the lab assistant that Dr. Cohen had assigned to help him were just as confused. It was like nothing they ever seen on the market. It was a drug that released inhibitions, but it was also acting like a poison. He just did not know.

Vin saw the disheartening look that Nathan gave him. He knew he had no answer to the situation. But Vin did. They had to go after Nadia, now.

Just then the doctor and the nurse came in accompanied by Josiah, Ezra and JD.

The doctor walked quickly over to where the blond laid, a syringe in his hand. He smoothly injected the anti-convulsive drug into the man’s system. He knew it would take a little time before they would see the results.

“What was that doc?” asked Vin curious.

“It was an anti-convulsive drug to help with the tremors. It’ll work in a little while,” answered Dr. Cohen. The doctor then turned back to the nurse and said, “Set up the IV again, Nurse.”

She nodded and walked out of the room to get the equipment she would need.

“You going to set him up again?” questioned Nathan.

“I’ll have to if he keeps having these seizures. I have no choice,” replied Dr. Cohen.

Vin listened to the conversation and knew it did not bode well for Chris. He watched as the drug took affect and his friend’s body started to be still. But it also seemed to put Chris to sleep and before Vin could talk to him anymore, his eyes were closed.

“Vin, I think you need to get back into your own bed,” said Nathan gently. He knew that the young sharpshooter was upset about what just happened.

“Not yet, Nate,” he answered. He gently released the hand he was holding and looked into the face of the man he called brother. He leaned down close to Chris’ ear and whispered, “Ya hang on, Cowboy. We’re gon’na get her.”

He then stood up on shaky legs and wobbled back over to his bed, lying down with a gasp.

Nathan and Dr. Cohen approached Vin each had the same facial expression, one of worry and concern.

“You okay, Vin?” asked Nathan.

“Are you in any pain?” queried Dr. Cohen.

Vin shook his head, waving them off and negating their attempt to coddle him. He was not in the mood right now. He was angry and disturbed at the fact that he could not help his friend.

“You sure, Vin?” came Nathan’s question tentatively.

“Yeah, I’m sure, Nate. Just tired,” he said trying to pacify their concerns. “Do me a favor. We need to have a meetin’, now.”

“A meeting now? Why?”

“Nate. We have to get to Nadia, now! Not later, now! He ain’t gon’na last long,” said Vin determinedly.

“You don’t know that, Vin…”

“Ya wrong, Nathan. I do. I know it here,” Vin replied pointing to the area of his heart. “He can’t take much more of this. If we don’t do somethin’ now, I think we gon’na loose ‘im, permanently.”

Vin waited until what he had said sunk into the healer’s thoughts. The others were standing quietly on the other side, but had heard ever word. In their minds, they knew Vin was right.

“Nate, he’s right,” put in Buck from across the room.

“I also believe that Mr. Tanner is correct, Mr. Jackson. Based upon my previous experience with this sort of occurrence we have little time to debate the issue. We must get Mr. L…, ah, I mean Mr. Jones help as it is expedient,” agreed Ezra.

Nathan looked at each of them and saw the same belief that was in Vin’s eyes were mirrored in theirs.

“Okay, okay. So what do we do?” gave in Nathan.

“I believe this is where I leave,” interjected Dr. Cohen. “The less I know the better.” He then started towards the door.

“I believe that is a wise choice, Doctor,” was Ezra’s reply as the doctor left the room.

Once they were sure the doctor was gone, they all turned towards Vin.

“So what do we do next, brother, and may heaven help us,” stated Josiah.

“Listen up. This is what we gon’na do…” started Vin.

****************************************************************************

Chapter: 36

The Sixth Day Cometh

“On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days."

Exodus 16:4-6

Jack Trell and Frank Marino had found out with some difficulty the location of Archangel Michael. They had been parked outside the hospital facility for the past three hours, trying to determine an opportunity to retrieve the package.

“So what’s your plan, Jack?” asked Frank, lighting up a cigarette as they sat in their black sedan.

Jack looked him, his eyes gleaming with delight. “Well, Frank. I’ve been thinking. This Archangel Michael knows were the disk is and if we snatch him, we’ll have the two things Mr. DeCorsia is looking for. The only problem is these other men.”

“Yeah, I know. How we going to get rid of them? I heard they are a tough bunch. Nothing like Marco told his father. I read the file on them and most of these guys are hard-noses. They are not going to be easy to deal with.”

Jack glanced at him and then towards the hospital entrance. It was something that he was counting on. He needed some competition and new blood. Lately, the guys they had to tangle with did not give the man enough of the adrenaline pump he was looking for.

“That’s what I’m counting on,” replied Jack, smiling broadly.

Frank rolled his eyes in exasperation. He knew this was going to be trouble and prayed that Jack would keep his testosterone in check. They had a job to do and he had never failed to accomplish what needed to be done. He would not let Jack fuck up his record. Not for anything in the world.

“You listen to me, Jack. We have a job to do, paid for by Mr. DeCorsia. He wants Larabee and the disk. We get him the most expedient way and we are going to be quiet about it. We will not fuck this up! Do you read me?” said Frank angrily.

Jack looked into those eyes and saw there that this was no idle threat. He had worked with Frank long enough to know that Frank did not give idle threats only facts.

Cautiously Jack replied, “Sure, Frank, sure. You got it. You know me, Frank. I’m just always shooting off my mouth too much sometimes.”

“Just make sure we understand each other, Jack. I take my job very seriously and you should too.”

Jack nodded, knowing it was not good to piss off the only other person he knew could kill him easily. He sighed softly. “So what do you we do?”

“They’re going to shorten their numbers soon in there.”

“And how do you know that?”

“Because we’re going to see to it,” answered Frank, smiling devilishly at Jack.

Jack at first did not get it, and then he realized what Frank was talking about. He smiled too and laughed, “Oh, yeah, now I understand.”

The two men laughed knowing it was only a matter of time.

**********************************************************************

Lucien and Devon walked through the upper corridors of Nadia’s huge house. They came to the door that Devon had indicated as Nadia’s home office. Lucien pointed with his gun towards the door. “Go ahead in, Devon. But I warn you, you make any sudden moves and you’ll have a bullet in your head so fast you won’t have time to say your prayers. You got that?”

Devon nodded, but kept silent. He then rapped on the door. A woman’s voice from inside said, “Who is it?”

“It’s me, Miss Diaz,” answered Devon.

“Enter,” was Nadia’s reply.

Lucien motioned Devon forward, making sure he followed closely behind him, the point of his gun still sticking in his back.

Devon with Lucien attached at the back, walked into Nadia’s private home office. She looked up annoyed from the papers on her desk and sighed when she saw Lucien enter behind Devon.

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t the little lost brother,” said Nadia grimacing.

“It is good to see you too, Nadia,” replied Lucien. He then pointed to the other side of the office where he wanted Devon to be. Devon understood the message moved to where the young blond man pointed.

Lucien then closed the door silently behind him with his foot. Keeping his gun trained on the man standing angrily to the side, he looked at Nadia appraisingly.

Nadia had not changed in the years of their separation. But he had. It was no longer the naïve young agent she had first met at Celestial. He had grown since that time and had learned that it was better to eat, than to be eaten.

“So where have you been keeping yourself, Luc,” she said using the pet name she had for him.

Lucien winced as he heard her utter the nickname she had for him. It was from a time that Lucien had preferred to forget.

“Same as you, Nadia. Working my way up to the top.”

Nadia looked at him confused. She knew his vague answer for a taunt.

“And how were you doing that, my love?” she asked teasingly.

Lucien shifted from one leg to another. He had one thing to say about Nadia. She did not loose her flair for ravaging someone’s weakness. She knew that Lucien had once fell in love with her and now used it like a knife cutting into his soul. But Lucien stayed calm. Like his brother, he learned to keep his emotions hidden well from everyone.

“Don’t my love me, Nadia. As to how, well, your man here can tell you that,” retorted Lucien, eying Devon with a sparing glance.

“Devon? What the hell is he talking about?”

Devon remained silent for a few moments, thinking of what he should tell her. Then he thought that if he did not tell the truth, he was good as dead anyway.

“He works for your father-in-law, Miss Diaz. He’s his regulator.”

Nadia eyes opened in surprise, if anything could surprise her. This was news to her and she had worked in the organization for years.

“How come I never heard of you?”

“Because I went by the name of Muerte.”

“You’re Muerte?”

“The one and only.”

Nadia had heard of Muerte. He was the mysterious regulator for Roberto DeCorsia that no one had ever seen, except for Roberto and others who were part of the organization’s Inner Circle. The regulator was the one who carried out most judgments made by Roberto and the Inner Circle. In fact, even Nadia was not privy to his identity. Nadia also thought he was of some Latin descent. The one thing that really bothered her most was that fact that Devon knew who he was and she decided to find out.

“And how do you come to have this knowledge, Devon?” asked Nadia, her eyes showing a simmering rage that Devon knew he did not want to see released.

“I…uh…I was…I was there the day he was hired by Mr. DeCorsia. He and I were in competition for the position.”

“What happened?” asked Nadia, now wanting to know all of it.

“Mr. DeCorsia choose him over me. But I did not know you two knew each other,” he stated, suspicion coating his tone.

“Lucien and I shared some time together, years ago. Didn’t we, Luc?”

“You call it sharing time. I call it sharing hell,” replied Lucien, walking towards her.

Devon started to move, thinking this was his chance. Lucien’s gun turned directly to him. “Unh, uh. If you don’t want to be crying a new hole, I would stay right where you are, Devon,” he said softly.

Devon stopped where he was and moved back towards the other side of the room.

Lucien then continued his steps towards Nadia. Nadia was not afraid. She walked around her desk to cover the distance in between.

“That’s as close as you get, Nay,” Lucien holding his hand up.

“There was a time when I couldn’t get close enough to you, Luc.”

“Well, that changed when you tried to kill my brother. Wait. As a matter of fact, you’re still trying to kill my brother.”

Nadia eyes turned dark with fury. “Why would I want to kill the man I love?” she retorted.

“The man you love? Oh, come on, Nadia. You poisoned him! He’s dying!”

“Devon, leave us alone,” said Nadia walking closer to Lucien.

Devon started to move, but looked at Lucien and the cold metal he held in his hand.

Nadia saw his hesitation and said, “Get out, Devon. Now!”

Devon walked quickly from the room, leaving Nadia alone with Lucien.

Lucien blue eyes glared at her apprehensively. He knew she was up to something. He never put the gun away.

“What do you want, Nay? Why are you hurting my brother?”

“I am not hurting, Christopher. I’m trying to make him see the truth. I want things to be the way they were. We were happy. All three of us and then things changed.”

Lucien looked at her, knowing she really believed this. She believed that she was trying to make them happy. But Lucien knew this was a lie, a lie that was costing his brother’s life.

“You’re hurting him, Nadia. I need the antidote,” he pleaded. He would beg if he had to. His brother’s life was hanging by a thread.

“No, Luc. I cannot. The one thing that will make everything better is for Christopher to come home, here, with me,” answered Nadia, a smile gracing her lips.

Lucien shook his head. “That’s not what he wants. It’s not what I want.”

“Then he will die and no one will have him,” she said pouting like a child.

This anger Lucien. His brother was dying and all that she cared about was getting her way.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” he exclaimed. “Mickey’s dying and all you care about is making things the way they were! They’ll never be that way again, Nay, never.”

Nadia stared at him, waiting to make sure his outburst was done. As soon as she was sure, she walked back to her desk and pressed a button underneath.

Within seconds, the room filled suddenly with men, who had their guns trained on Lucien.

“I am sorry that you feel that way, Luc. Drop the gun. Now.”

Lucien glanced behind him and saw the five men standing with automatic rifles pointed at him.

“I could kill you, Nay.”

“No you won’t, my love. If you do, then the whereabouts of the antidote dies with me. Think about.”

Lucien glared at her seething with disgust and rage. “You will kill him! Just to satisfy your own desires!”

“I am not going to say it again, Luc. Drop the gun.”

Lucien knew he did not have a chance against Nadia and her men. He also knew that if he died, so would his brother without the antidote. He would escape and he would retrieve the antidote. Nadia remembered the poor boy Lucien. What she forgot was that boy was long gone and now there was only Muerte.

Cautiously he placed the gun down on the floor. The men, finding their adversary was disarmed, grabbed a hold of him and one of them picked up the gun from the floor.

“Take him to one of the cell rooms. Lock him up well, but don’t hurt him,” she said as they removed Lucien from the room.

As Lucien was led out of the room, he did not see the wicked smile that came across Nadia’s face.

************************************************************************

While Chris slept a drug-induced sleep, Vin and the others talked about their plan to capture Nadia and force her to tell them where the antidote was.

As Ezra began to talk of his plan, Vin mind wandered back to the incident with Chris and what he had said.

Snapping out of the memory, he said to his friends, “Sixth day.”

“What did you say, Vin?” asked Nathan.

“Sixth day. It was what Chris kept talkin’ ‘bout.”

“Well, Mr. Tanner, I do believe when someone in Mr. Larabee’s condition suffers from drug addiction, they usually have such delusions or hallucinations.”

“No, Ez. It wasn’t a delusion or hallucination. I think Chris was tryin’ to tell me somethin’.”

“What could he be trying to tell you, Vin?” asked Buck.

“Well, a few months ago, Chris and I came up with an idea ‘bout how to talk to each other when we were working undercover without anyone else understandin’ what was bein’ said.”

“Like code,” interjected JD.

“Right. We decided to use Bible verses.”

“Bible verses?” came Josiah’s query.

“Yeah. Like if Chris was to say, ‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of death, I shall fear no evil, for thou art with me’, that would mean he was in the dark about the location he was in, but he did not think it was too dangerous and for me to keep tabs on his movements.”

“I see,” said Ezra smiling. “Very ingenious, Mr. Tanner.”

“It was all Chris’ idea.”

“So, now you think that Chris was trying to tell you something?” asked Nathan in thought.

“Yeah. But the problem is, I don’t know what it could mean.”

“What was it he said, Vin? Do you remember?” asked JD intrigued at the prospect.

“Umm, yeah. He read from Genesis, you know, etc. And the end of it was, God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Then he specifically made reference to the sixth day again and he said somethin’ that I didn’t understand. It was somethin’ like squid or guid or quid…”

“Quid me nutrit, me destruit?” asked Josiah.

“Yeah. That was it.”

The others looked at Josiah in bewilderment. They did not speak Latin.

“What nourishes me also destroys me.”

“What the hell does that mean?” exclaimed Buck.

“It’s an old Latin saying,” replied Josiah.

“And how would Chris know Latin?” asked JD astonished by this new information about his boss.

“I taught him some, but he told me he learned it while in prison,” answered Josiah.

“But what does it mean?” came Nathan’s question.

“Don’t know what it meant for Chris, brother.”

“What about the sixth day, Josiah?” queried Vin.

“Got me there.”

“Gentlemen, I believe I know what Mr. Larabee was referring to,” interjected Ezra softly.

All eyes turned to him immediately.

“Well, spit it out, Ezra!” demanded Buck.

“That was a disgusting…”

“Ez!” yelled Vin.

“No need to shout, Mr. Tanner. This was about three weeks ago and Chris had asked me if I knew anything about a place called The Sixth Day.”

“You mean there’s a place by that name?” asked Vin surprised.

“Indeed there is. Its locale is on the Strip. It’s a…a…”

“What, Ezra?”

“A homosexual establishment.”

“It’s a gay bar?” came Buck’s shocked response.

“Yes.”

“Why would Chris want to know about a gay bar?” came JD’s innocent question. He saw the looks and the silence the others were giving him. “Ya don’t think that Chris is…”

“No way in hell is Chris gay!” shouted Buck, his mind in turmoil. “There’s no damn way!”

“Buck, lower your voice,” said Josiah pointing to the man on the bed.

Buck closed his mouth, but inside he was bursting at the seams. He wanted to shake Chris awake, but he knew it was better the blond slept.

“I don’t think Mr. Larabee is a homosexual, Mr. Wilmington. In fact, he did not seem interested in the bar, as much as he was in looking for someone there.”

“Why would ya say that, Ezra?” asked Vin. His concern was not as the others. He was more concerned that this might be what they need to help Chris.

“Because he was asking me about whether or not if any of my connections knew of a woman who frequented this establishment. Her name was Eve Laurente.”

“Do ya think this Eve Laurente might know somethin’? questioned Vin. He needed to find out what Chris was trying to tell him.

“She might, Mr. Tanner. I checked with my confidants and they did tell me that the woman Eve visited the place almost every night. I gave the information to Mr. Larabee and it was the last time I spoke to him about it or its progress.”

“Then I say we talk to this woman,” replied Vin.

“You don’t,” commanded Nathan. “We do. Me and Josiah will go.”

“I think I and Mr. Wilmington should go, Mr. Jackson. You are needed here with Mr. Larabee and Mr. Tanner.”

Nathan knew Ezra was right. He was still working with the lab assistant to try and determine the other chemicals that was destroying their friend.

“M…me?” stuttered Buck. “Ya want me to go into a gay bar?”

“Yes, Mr. Wilmington. You are the best choice.”

“Why me? No, Ezra. Ya must be plumb loco to think that I will ever walk into a place…”

“Buck, Chris needs us to do this,” came Vin’s plea. “Look at ‘im. How long ya think he got?”

Buck glanced over to where the blond lay and knew in his heart that Chris counted on him. He knew he could not stand to loose Chris, not to something like this.

“Okay, okay. But I’m tellin’ ya now. If one of them puts any of their hands on me, I’ll tear them a new asshole!” he said, walking out of the room fuming.

He did not see as the others desperately tried to suppress their giggles at his expense.

“That man sure has demons to deal with,” stated Josiah smiling broadly.

“Yeah and I think Ez here is gon’na get to know them real well,” laughed Vin.

Ezra rolled his eyes to the ceiling and followed Buck’s trail out the door.

Translation:

Muerte – Death in Spanish

TBC

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